An investigative team using genetic genealogy identified the victim as Gerron Gipson
(Woodland, CA) – June 3, 2022 – On June 2, 2022, a victim of a 1999 homicide was identified by a law enforcement team using genetic genealogy. The victim’s human remains were located on the bank of a slough near Clarksburg, CA, located in rural Yolo County on March 4, 1999. Due to the state of decomposition, the victim could not be identified, but the cause of death was determined to be homicide.
For years this cold case remained open as law enforcement officials worked to try to identify the victim. Recently, with the advancement in technology and genetic genealogy, a partial DNA sample was identified. With the use of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), on June 2, 2022, a match was made. The homicide victim has been identified as Gerron Gipson, who was 29 years old at the time of his death. Gipson had ties to the Sacramento area.
Members of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, and the Dept. of Justice assisted in the investigation.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig praised the work of the collaborative team stating that “Though there was a passage of time, Gerron Gipson was never forgotten. I am proud of the dedication and collaboration among our law enforcement partners that will make it possible to return Gerron to his loved ones and offer them some sense of closure. We will wholeheartedly support them in the coming days.”
Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez stated, “While this important work cannot bring a loved one back, I hope the Gipson family can finally feel a sense of closure. I appreciate the many, many hours of tireless work by our dedicated law enforcement professionals who made this possible. “
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 668-5280 or (530) 666-8282. Anonymous tips can be reported at (530) 668-5248.
Gerron Gipson
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